Our principal aim is to fire pupils’ excitement and imagination through contact with the many great and moving elements of Classical culture.
Our principal aim is to fire pupils’ excitement and imagination through contact with the many great and moving elements of Classical culture.
Pupils are introduced to the significant realms of human experience and achievement: Greek and Roman language, literature (in its many forms), history, art and architecture, philosophy, religion, politics, law and science and technology.
The subject encourages pupils to develop powers of close observation and analysis.
Additionally, it instils a tolerant and sympathetic but objectively critical understanding of foreign morals, values and ethics as exemplified by Greek and Roman societies. In exploiting the perceived differences of cultures, pupils are able to reflect critically on their own modern environment.
Biennially the Department takes a party of Sixth Formers alternately to Greece and Italy during the Easter holiday.
In the Foundation Year (Year 9) Latin and Greek are optional subjects. Pupils who have studied the classical languages at their previous school are normally advised to continue with Latin and some pupils take it up as a new subject. Pupils who study Latin or Greek in the Foundation Year are able to continue those subjects to GCSE. In the Sixth Form, Latin and Greek are both offered at A level and within the International Baccalaureate. A level Classical Civilisation, which explores Homer’s ‘Odyssey’, Greek Tragedy, Greek Art and Architecture and Greek and Roman Comedy, is also a popular option for Sixth Formers.
The Classical Society meets three or four times per term in the Autumn and Lent terms to enable pupils to take part in a range of activities which will enhance their Classical educational experience. There are regular trips to the theatre, visits to museums and archaeological sites and pupils also attend lectures given by distinguished academics on Classical topics.
Classical Civilisation offers the opportunity to consider some of the thorniest questions of our modern era through the lens of our ancient past. What makes a hero a hero? What makes a good ruler? What power should we let our emotions have over our decisions? Where is the line between justice and revenge? What is the nature of the divine? How do humans conceive of their identity?
Examining ancient cultures and peoples, rather than modern ones, gives us the distance to consider relevant, exciting and tricky topics that have a huge impact on our own world like migration, democracy, death, community, leadership, and religion in an unbiased way. We can learn to become more aware of our own cultural baggage, the hidden aspects of our lives that shape the way we think, and we can become better at putting these to one side and approaching things objectively. In this way, Classical Civilisation makes you a good communicator, analyser, and a good problem solver: someone who can look at a situation from many different angles and both see and value many different perspectives.
Moreover, you will build these important life skills by examining closely some of the greatest stories and cities the world has ever seen. Among others you will explore: the Olympian gods, the myths of Hercules/Heracles, the founding stories and the cities of Athens and Rome. All written material is studied in translation, and no knowledge of Latin or Greek is required, though naturally the Classical subjects complement each other extremely well.
If you are struggling to choose between other humanities, like History, Geography or Religious Studies, you will likely find Classical Civilisation is perfect for you as it combines a little bit of them all. It will suit people who love to explore art and architecture, or who want to develop the unbiased mindset of a scientist or historian, or to examine how economics affects lives throughout history, or who love examining human emotion and experience: it has something for everyone. You might simply have loved the Percy Jackson books! Classical Civilisation complements almost every GCSE subject and develops key skills that support most other GCSE options.
You do not need to have taken Classical Civilisation in FY to take it at GCSE.
2-year OCR GCSE Course comprising two modules:
Assessment is by an examination in each module at the end of the two years.
“All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?” – Monty Python, The Life of Brian
Latin is the study of the language of the Romans, and thereby gives us access to a culture that, through its domination of North Africa, the Near East, and central and western Europe, has shaped much of the world. It allows us to examine Britain as a land colonised by a distant conqueror, and to reflect on how the language of Latin and the stories of the Romans have in turn been used as a weapon in the elitists’ colonial toolbox. It affords us the opportunity to explore incredible technology and incredible brutality, beautiful literature and thought constructed amidst a turbulent and often ugly society, and a language that has shaped much of our modern world, not only through itself but through its descendants. The study of Latin develops logic, language manipulation skills, an appreciation for accuracy, a broad English vocabulary, and independence of thought. It naturally pairs well with other Classical subjects, but additionally complements Maths, English, History and Modern Languages. Many students find their Latin exceptionally useful years after studying it – from reading early English or French, to accessing historical archive material, to taking up coding or Portuguese.
Whilst teaching the grammar required for GCSE, students will explore Roman history and culture from the early days of the Roman Republic (5th Century BC) to the early days of the Roman empire (1st Century AD).
The language course benefits from a defined vocabulary list of approximately 400 words which will be learnt thoroughly over the duration of the course. All words additional to this are glossed in the examination. Students are often at first apprehensive about what a literature paper involves, but find it is the best part of the course, as they explore a specific area of Roman culture in detail. The literature read changes year on year, but normally involves:
Latin GCSE is generally taken by students who have already studied Latin for at least one year, though for good linguists it is possible to start the course ab initio. It is encouraged that if you are an external applicant to the College who has not studied Latin before you contact the Head of Classics (hannah.clarke@malverncollege.org.uk) to discuss support that can be offered in the summer prior to your arrival.
2-year OCR GCSE Course comprising three modules:
Assessment is by an examination in each module at the end of the two years.
‘If the violin is the most perfect musical instrument, the Greek language is the violin of the human thought.’ – Helen Keller
‘If the gods speak, they will surely use the language of the Greeks.’ – Cicero
Like all Classical subjects studying Ancient Greek asks us to question the fundamentals of life: who are we, where do we come from, what is the nature and purpose of the world around us, and of our place in it – and how do we
weave and unravel narratives built around these ideas?
Whilst teaching the grammar required for GCSE, students will explore Greek culture from Aesop’s fables to the story of the Odyssey, from the life of Alexander the Great to the philosophy of the Pre-Socratics, Socrates and Plato, and of course, Greek mythology.
Teachers can be guided by students in their selection of the literature and/ or topic study, meaning the course can be tailored to suit the interests of the cohort.
The study of Ancient Greek develops logic, language manipulation skills, an appreciation for accuracy, a broad English vocabulary, and independence of thought. Being taken by only around 700 pupils nationwide at GCSE, it is a subject which makes you stand out from the crowd on paper, while offering you the opportunity to develop skills which will make you do likewise in person.
It is encouraged that if you are an external applicant to the College you contact the Head of Classics (hannah.clarke@malverncollege.org.uk) before the start of the year to discuss the amount of Greek that has been studied so far, and support that can be offered in the summer prior to your arrival.
2-year OCR GCSE Course comprising three modules:
Assessment is by an examination in each module at the end of the two years.
Classical Greek can be studied at A level or as a second language on the IB.
The end of Remove exam for Classical Greek is the ‘Intermediate Certificate in Classical Greek’, a formal qualification recognised by universities. This means that a pupil could opt to take Greek alongside 9 other GCSEs, even if they are uncertain about taking on the workload of 10 GCSEs. The pupil would:
Pupils can start the course planning to do the 1 year or 2 year course and make their mind up about continuing to the full GCSE in the Easter of Remove. Pupils are taught together during the Remove.
Why Latin?
‘All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?’
The Latin and Classical Greek courses aim to:
Both Latin and Greek offer deep engagement with ancient languages, literature, and cultures. Students develop advanced language and analytical skills while exploring works that form the foundation of European intellectual tradition.
At Standard Level, the emphasis is on linguistic development and textual understanding. Higher Level offers further challenge through additional literary analysis and an extended internal assessment, including optional prose composition. Through translating, analysing, and contextualising original texts, students build resilience in problem-solving, logical reasoning, and stylistic awareness – skills highly valued by universities and employers.
Core texts are studied in the original; companion texts in both Latin/Greek and English
Students receive full guidance and skill preparation for internal assessments, which provide opportunities to explore areas of personal interest within the ancient world.
Grade 7 or higher in GCSE Latin/Greek, or equivalent. The Advanced (Größes) Latinum/Graecum is an equivalent qualification, and if you have studied at a Liceo Classico for at least 2 years this is also a good starting place.
If you have not taken GCSEs, (or have done the Intermediate (Kleines) Latinum/Graecum), please contact the Head of Classics hannah.clarke@malverncollege.org.uk, who can help you decide whether your level of Latin/Greek will enable you to feel confident in undertaking the IB course.